Boat-launching device, system, and method

ABSTRACT

A boat-launching device can include a shock cord and a spring-loaded reel. The shock cord can have a proximal end adapted to be secured to a dock. The spring-loaded reel can include a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring. The reel casing can define a reel opening. The shock cord can be wound on the spool and have a distal end attached to the spool and the proximal end extending out of the reel opening. A fastener can be attached to the reel casing and adapted to be secured to a boat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to a devices and methods for launching a boat.

BACKGROUND

Launching a boat from a trailer normally requires two people. As adriver backs the trailer holding a boat into the water, the boat mustseparate from the trailer. One method to remove the boat involvesbacking the trailer into the water with sufficient momentum for the boatto glide off the trailer, but this requires that the boat be unsecuredto the trailer. During the unloading process using momentum, however,boats can come off the trailer and into the water with significantmomentum, which can cause the boat to float away. To make sure that theboat does not float away, one or more additional people can hold one ormore ropes secured to the boat in order to ensure that the boat does notfloat away or ram against an adjacent dock. Boaters, however, sometimesenjoy boating alone or with individuals unable to help with the boatunloading process. Simply tying a rope between a dock and a boat duringan unloading process, however, can be dangerous as the rope can becometangled in the trailer, the momentum of the boat can jerk the dock anddamage the dock, or cause a recoil that causes the boat to smash intothe dock. Other people may try to launch a boat by positioning the boatand trailer in the water and physically pushing the boat off thetrailer, which can cause physical injury and require that the boater getinto the water. There is thus a need for a boat-launching device thatimproves safety and allows users to stay dry.

SUMMARY

Boat-launching devices provided herein can assist the launching of aboat such that a single individual can safely launch the boat into abody of water. In some cases, a boat-launching device provided hereinincludes a shock cord and a spring-loaded reel. The shock cord can havea proximal end adapted to be secured to a dock. The spring-loaded reelcan include a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring. The reel casingcan define a reel opening. The shock cord can be wound on the spool andhave a distal end attached to the spool and the proximal end extendingout of the reel opening. A fastener can be attached to the reel casingand adapted to be secured to a boat.

Shock cord in a boat-launching device provided herein can stretch toslowly stop the momentum of a boat as it is launched and provide a forcedirecting the boat back towards a dock. In some cases, shock cord in aboat-launching device provided herein can have an elastic core. In somecases, shock cord in a boat-launching device provided herein can have awoven sheath over an elastic core. For example, a woven sheath caninclude nylon, polypropylene, or another non-elastic material. Thesheath does not materially extend elastically, but it is braided withits strands spiraling around the core so that a longitudinal pull causesit to squeeze the core, transmitting the core's elastic compression tothe longitudinal extension of the sheath and cord, and providing theshock cord with a maximum length of stretching prior to failure. When aboat is launched using a boat-launching device provided herein, theamount of force on the shock cord can depend on the speed of the launch,the weight of the boat, and the weather conditions. In some cases, aboat-launching device provided herein can provide a stretching of theshock cord by at least 6 inches prior to the shock cord being fullyunwound from the spool when launching a boat

In some cases, the shock cord can have a stretched length that is atleast 25% greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases, theshock cord can have a stretched length that is at least 40% greater thanits non-stretched length. In some cases, the shock cord can have astretched length that is at least 50% greater than its non-stretchedlength. In some cases, the shock cord can have a stretched length thatis at least 60% greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases,the shock cord can have a stretched length that is at least 70% greaterthan its non-stretched length. In some cases, the shock cord can have astretched length that is at least 80% greater than its non-stretchedlength. In some cases, the shock cord can have a stretched length thatis at least 90% greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases,the shock cord can have a stretched length that is at least 100% greaterthan its non-stretched length. In some cases, the shock cord can have astretched length that is at least 120% greater than its non-stretchedlength. In some cases, the shock cord can have a stretched length thatis up to 200% greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases, theshock cord can have a stretched length that is up to 150% greater thanits non-stretched length. In some cases, the shock cord can have astretched length that is up to 125% greater than its non-stretchedlength. In some cases, the shock cord can have a stretched length thatis up to 100% greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases, theshock cord can have a stretched length that is between 70% and 125%greater than its non-stretched length. In some cases, the shock cord canhave a stretched length that is between 90% and 100% greater than itsnon-stretched length. For example, a shock cord can have a maximumlength that is about 124% greater than the non-stretched length (i.e., ashock cord having a non-stretched length of 12.5 feet can be stretch toa maximum length of about 29 feet).

Shock cord in a boat-launching device provided herein can be anysuitable length. In some cases, the shock cord in a boat-launchingdevice provided herein can be at least 5 feet. In some cases, the shockcord in a boat-launching device provided herein can be at least 10 feet.In some cases, the shock cord in a boat-launching device provided hereincan be at least 15 feet. In some cases, the shock cord in aboat-launching device provided herein can be at least 20 feet. In somecases, the shock cord in a boat-launching device provided herein can beat least 25 feet. In some cases, the shock cord in a boat-launchingdevice provided herein can be at least 30 feet. In some cases, the shockcord in a boat-launching device provided herein can be up to 50 feet. Insome cases, the shock cord in a boat-launching device provided hereincan be up to 40 feet. In some cases, the shock cord in a boat-launchingdevice provided herein can be up to 30 feet. For example, the shock cordcan be about 13 feet.

A proximal end of the shock cord in a boat-launching device providedherein can, in some cases, include a rigid rod. A rigid rod providedherein can press between a dock and the reel casing to inhibit the boatfrom impacting a side of the dock. In some cases, the rigid rod can havea length of at least 4 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of at least 6 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of at least 8 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of at least 10 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of at least 12 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of up to 50 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can have alength of at least up to 40 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod canhave a length of up to 30 inches. In some cases, the rigid rod can havea length of between 6 inches and 30 inches. In some cases, the rigid rodcan be replaced with another stay-away object having a non-rod shape.

In some cases, a rigid rod provided at the proximal end of the shockcord can be a hollow tube. For example, the shock cord can extendthrough the hollow tube and be secured to a stopper. In some cases, therigid rod is a piece of PVC pipe. A rigid rod provided herein can alsoserve as a handle for the user. In some cases, a rigid rod providedherein includes a grip.

A proximal end of the shock cord of a boat-launching device providedherein can be adapted to be attached to a portion of a dock. In somecases, a proximal end of the shock cord comprises a loop. In some cases,the proximal end of the shock cord can be formed into a loop. In somecases, a fabric loop can be attached to the proximal end of the shockcord. For example, the proximal end of the shock cord can be connectedto an adjustable hook with a safety latch and a fabric loop can beattached to an opposite end of the adjustable hook with the safetylatch.

A fastener attached to the reel casing provided herein can be adapted tobe attached to a boat. In some cases, the fastener can be a clasp,climbers hook, metal hook, strap system, or any other suitable fasteneradapted to connect to part of a boat. In some cases, the fastener is acarabiner. In some cases, the carabiner can be an aluminum carabiner. Insome cases, the carabiner can be a three-inch carabiner. In some cases,a fastener (e.g., a carabiner) can be attached to the reel casing by arotating anchor. The fastener can be adapted to bow hook at the front ofa boat and/or cleats on the sides of the boat.

A boat-launching device provided herein can include a spring-loaded reelthat includes an internal spring configured to provide a pulling forceon a shock cord to rewind the shock cord into the spring-loaded reel. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide at least 10 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide at least 50 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide at least 100 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide at least 150 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide at least 200 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide at least 250 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide at least 300 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide at least 350 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide at least 400 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide up to 2,000 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide up to 1,500 lb_(f) offorce pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reelcan provide up to 1,000 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Insome cases, the spring-loaded reel can provide up to 800 lb_(f) of forcepulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reel canprovide up to 600 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. In somecases, the spring-loaded reel can provide up to 500 lb_(f) of forcepulling on the shock cord. In some cases, the spring-loaded reel canprovide up to 400 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shock cord. Forexample, a spring-loaded reel provided herein can provide between 300lbf and 500 lbf of force pulling on the shock cord. In some cases, thespring-loaded reel can be adapted to provide a pulling force on theshock cord that increases as the shock cord is unwound from the spool.

A spring-loaded reel used in a boat-launching device provided herein caninclude an axel, about which the spool rotates, where the axel beingsecured to the reel casing and the reel spring is secured between thespool and the axel such that rotation of spool within the reel casingcauses the reel spring to deform. In some cases, the reel spring can bea piece of metal (e.g., stainless steel, nitinol). The reel spring canbe a torsion spring.

A method of launching a boat provided herein can include a step ofpositioning a boat on a trailer adjacent a dock, attaching aboat-launching provided herein between the boat and the dock, and movingthe boat and the trailer into a body of water such that the boat beginsto float and moves away from the trailer with the boat-launching deviceproviding a force to pull the boat towards the dock. As the boat isbacked up and off of the trailer, the boat can have significantmomentum. Because the shock cord is stretchable and the spring-loadedreel provides a pulling force on the shock cord, the boat-launchingdevice can gradually slow this momentum as the boat moves away from thetrailer, which can reduce the probability of the launching of the boatcausing damage to the boat or the dock. The spring-loaded reel can alsokeep the shock cord tensioned such that it is less likely to drag on theground, drop into the water, or get tangled in the trailer. Moreover,because this device can be used alone, it avoids boaters from getting inthe water and attempting to physically push the boat off of a trailer,thus boat-launching devices provided herein improve safety and allowusers to stay dry. A rigid rod at the proximal end of the shock cord canreduce the likelihood that the boat will impact the dock upon the returnof the boat to the dock. In some cases, two or more boat-launchingdevices provided herein can be attached between the dock and the boat.In some cases, a first boat-launching device can be attached to the bowof a boat and a second boat-launching device can be attached to abulwark.

The details of one or more embodiments of boat-launching devices are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures and advantages will be apparent from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary boat-launching deviceprovided herein.

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a spring-loaded reel of the exemplary boatlaunching device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts how a boat-launching device provided herein can beattached to a boat on a trailer and to a dock prior to launching a boatinto a body of water.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes devices and methods for launching boats.Launching a boat into a body of water with a single person can bedifficult, given the need to detach the boat from the trailer so that itmoves off of the trailer when the boat is backed up into the water. Theboat/trailer combination must be backed up with sufficient momentum toallow for the boat to slide off the trailer, but this momentum can setthe boat adrift. Tying a rope between the boat and the trailer/dock candamage the boat, trailer, and/or dock as the boat can recoil backtowards the trailer/dock. Moreover, the momentum can provide a jerkingforce when the rope is fully extended such that the boat, trailer,and/or dock are damaged. Boat-launching devices provided herein can beattached between a boat and another structure (e.g., a dock) such that asingle individual can launch a boat, but avoid sending the boat adriftor damaging the boat, dock, or other equipment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary boat-launching device 100provided herein. FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a spring-loaded reel 200of the exemplary boat launching device 100 of FIG. 1. As shown,boat-launching device 100 includes a shock cord 240 and a spring-loadedreel 200. Shock cord 240 can have a proximal end adapted to be securedto a dock. Spring-loaded reel 200 can include a reel casing, which caninclude real casing halves 210 and 220, a spool 230, and a reel spring(not shown). Reel casing halves 210 and 220 can be secured together withrivets passing through apertures 218 and 228. Reel casing halves 210 and220 can define a reel opening 140, through which shock cord 240 canextend. Shock cord 240 can be wound on the spool 230 and have a distalend attached to spool 230 along the inside of spool 230. A fastener 110can be attached to the reel casing halves 210 and 220 and adapted to besecured to a boat.

Shock cord 240 can exit spring-loaded reel 200 through opening 140 asthe boat is launched. As shock cord 240 unwinds off spool 230, a spring(e.g., a torsion spring) can bend or wind to provide a pulling force onshock cord 240. Moreover, shock cord 240 can elastically stretch.Spring-loaded reel 200 and elastic shock cord 240 can thus provide acounter force to slowly stop the momentum of a boat as it is launchedand direct the boat back towards a dock or another stationary structure.

Shock cord 240 can have an elastic core. Shock cord 240 can have a wovensheath over an elastic core. In some cases, a woven sheath of shock cord240 can include nylon, polypropylene, or another non-elastic material. Awoven sheath of a non-elastic material can spiral around the elasticcore so that a longitudinal pull causes the sheath to squeeze the core,transmitting the core's elastic compression to the longitudinalextension of the sheath and cord, and providing the shock cord with amaximum length of stretching prior to failure. Shock cord 240 can have anon-stretched length of between 5 feet and 50 feet, but stretch to alength of a length of at least 50 percent greater than the non-stretchedlength. In some cases, shock cord 240 can have a length of between 10feet and 25 feet and have a stretched length of at least 70 percentgreater than the non-stretched length.

A proximal end of shock cord 240 includes a rigid rod 120. Rigid rod 120can press between a dock and spring-loaded reel 200 to inhibit the boatfrom impacting a side of the dock. Rigid rod 120 can have a length ofbetween about 10 inches and about 18 inches. As shown, rigid rod 120 canbe a hollow tube and have shock cord 240 extend there through. Shockcord 240 can be secured to an adjustable safety latch 124 at a proximalend of rigid rod 120. Adjustable safety latch 124 can have a diametergreater than an inside diameter of rigid rod 120 so that the anchor doesnot pass through rigid rod 120. In some cases, rigid rod 120 can be apiece of PVC pipe. In some cases, any suitable polymeric material can beused. In some cases, rigid rod 120 includes a metal or a ceramic. Insome cases, not shown, rigid rod 120 can be solid and shock cord 240 canbe attached to a distal end of rigid rod 120. Rigid rod 120 can includea grip 122, which can be gripped by a user when shock cord 240 is beingdrawn out by the user to attach boat-launching device 100 between a boatand a dock.

Adjustable safety latch 124 can secure a fabric loop 130 to shock cord240. Adjustable safety latch 124 can be any suitable material (e.g., aplastic material, a metallic material, a ceramic material). Fabric loop130 can be any suitable material. In some cases, fabric loop 130 caninclude nylon. Fabric loop 130 can have any suitable circumference. Insome cases, fabric loop 130 can have a circumference between 12 inchesand 36 inches (e.g., about 24 inches). In some cases, the proximal endof the shock cord can be formed into a loop. In some cases, otherfastening devices can be attached to a proximal end of shock cord 240(e.g., at a proximal end of rigid rod 120) in order to secure a proximalend of shock cord 240 to a dock or other suitable stationary object.

Fastener 110 can be attached to spring-loaded reel 200. Fastener 110 canbe adapted to be attached to a boat. In some cases, fastener 110 can bea clasp, climbers hook, metal hook, strap system, or any other suitablefastener adapted to connect to part of a boat. As shown, fastener 110 isa carabiner. In some cases, carabiner 110 can be an aluminum carabiner.In some cases, carabiner 110 can be a three-inch carabiner. In somecases, fastener 110 can be attached to the reel casing by a rotatinganchor 112. Rotating anchor 112 can be secured to an extending portion212 of the casting. Fastener 110 can be adapted to bow hook 312 (FIG. 3)at the front of a boat and/or cleats 314 (FIG. 3) on the sides of theboat.

An internal spring within spring-loaded reel 200 is configured toprovide a pulling force on a shock cord to rewind the shock cord intothe spring-loaded reel. In some cases, spring-loaded reel 200 canprovide between 300 lb_(f) and 500 lb_(f) of force pulling on the shockcord (e.g., about 375 lb_(f)). In some cases, the spring-loaded reel canbe adapted to provide a pulling force on shock cord 240 that increasesas shock cord 240 is unwound from spool 320. In some cases, an internalspring within spring-loaded reel 200 is a torsion spring, which works bytorsion or twisting to store mechanical energy when it is twisted. Asshock cord 240 is pulled out of spring-loaded reel 200, the torsionspring can twist or bend and exert a force (specifically a torque) inthe opposite direction, proportional to the amount (angle) it istwisted. In some cases, a torsion spring can be a torsion bar, which canbe a straight bar of metal and/or plastic. In some cases, a torsionspring can be a helical torsion spring, is a metal rod or wire in theshape of a helix that is subjected to twisting about the axis of thecoil by sideways forces (bending moments) applied to its ends as shockcord 240 is unwound, thus twisting the helix tighter.

As shown in FIG. 2, an axel 234 can extend through a central portion 232of spool 230. In central portion 232, a torsion spring can be connectedbetween a wall of the spool 230 and axel 234 such that the relativerotation of spool 230 and axel 234 causes the torsion spring 230 to bendor twist. Opposite ends of axel 234 are secured to reel casing halves210 and 220 with screws 252 and 254 through apertures 214 and 224 suchthat it does not rotate relative to the reel casing halves 210 and 220.Reel casing halves 210 and 220 can be secured together using rivetsthrough apertures 218 and 228, and optionally additional connectionspoints around the reel casing body. For example, an inside surface ofreel casing half 210 can fit with a hex head of axel 234. Whenassembled, an internal torsion spring can be pretensioned such thatspring-loaded reel 200 provides a pulling force on shock cord 240 evenwithout it being extended. A proximal end of shock cord 240 can beattached to a structure adapted to prevent winding onto spool 230. Asshown in FIG. 1, rigid rod 120 can extend into opening 140, but does notwind onto spool 230. By extending into opening 140, rigid rod 120 andspring-loaded reel 200 can interconnect so that boat-launching device100 provides spacing between the boat and the dock to reduce theprobability of a damaging collision between the boat and the dock. Byhaving rigid rod 120 interconnect with spring-loaded reel 200,boat-launching device 100's pressing is directed towards the connectionpoint on the boat.

Referring again to FIG. 2, reel casing half 220 includes a window 226,which can allow a user to observe the winding of shock cord 240 on thespool and/or allow water to drain from the reel casing if it falls intothe water. Reel casing half 220 can include internal projections 229,which can interact with a surface of spool 230 to guide a rotation ofspool 230.

FIG. 3 depicts how a boat-launching device provided herein can beattached to a boat 310 on a trailer 320 and to a dock 330 prior tolaunching the boat 310 into a body of water. A method of launching aboat 310 provided herein can include an initial step of positioning aboat on a trailer adjacent a dock 330 at a launching site (e.g., aramp). The boat and trailer combo 300 can be attached to an automobile,and a driver of the automobile can back boat/trailer combo 300 on a rampadjacent to a dock 330 so that the back wheels of trailer 320 are in thewater, but driver/user can disconnect the boat from the trailer (e.g.,disconnect the bow from winch 322). Once boat 310 is disconnected fromtrailer 320, a driver/user can attach fastener 110 to the bow of boat310. A driver/user can then grab handle grip 122 and unwind shock cord240 by pulling on rigid rod 120 and place fabric loop 130 around a poll332 on dock 330. Once boat-launching device 100 is attached between theboat and the dock, a user/driver can get back in the automobile and backboat/trailer combo 300 further back into the body of water such thatboat 310 begins to be supported by the water and slips off of trailer320. Because of the pulling force provided by spring-loaded reel 200 andthe elasticity of shock cord 240, boat-launching device can graduallycounter the momentum of boat 310 and eventually pull boat 310 backtowards the dock 330. The spring-loaded reel can also keep the shockcord tensioned such that it is less likely to drag on the ground, dropinto the water, or get tangled in the trailer. A rigid rod at theproximal end of the shock cord can reduce the likelihood that the boatwill impact the dock upon the return of the boat to the dock. In somecases, a distal end of rigid rod 120 can extend into opening 140 of reelcasing such that force from rigid rod 120 spacing boat 310 from dock 330is directed to the attachment location of fastener 110. In some cases,two or more boat-launching devices provided herein can be attachedbetween the dock and the boat. In some cases, a first boat-launchingdevice can be attached to the bow of a boat and a second boat-launchingdevice can be attached to a bulwark. In some cases, a singleboat-launching device can be used for boats that are less than 20 feetlong and/or less than 2,600 lbs. In some cases, two or moreboat-launching devices can be used for boats that are between 20 and 30feet and/or weigh less than 6,000 lbs.

As discussed above, the use of a boat-launching device provided hereincan avoid having ropes become tangled with the wheels. Moreover, aboat-launching device provided herein can allow a user/driver to use themomentum of the boat to unload the boat from the trailer, thus a userdoes not need to try to physically push the boat off the trailer oncethe boat/trailer combo is positioned in the water. Physically pushingthe boat of the trailer can cause physical injury and require that theuser get into the water, which can be cold. Accordingly, use of aboat-launching device provided herein can allow a user to safely launcha boat and stay dry.

What is claimed is:
 1. A boat-launching device comprising: (a) a shockcord having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a dock; (b) aspring-loaded reel comprising a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring,the reel casing defining a reel opening, the shock cord being wound onthe spool and having a distal end attached to the spool and the proximalend extending out of the reel opening; (c) a fastener attached to thereel casing, the fastener being adapted to be secured to a boat; (d) arigid rod at the proximal end of the shock cord, the rigid rod having alength of at least 4 inches and being adapted to press between a dockand said reel casing to inhibit a boat from impacting the dock when theboat is approaching the dock as said spring-loaded reel is pulling theboat towards the dock.
 2. The boat-launching device of claim 1, whereinthe shock cord comprises an elastic core.
 3. The boat-launching deviceof claim 2, wherein the shock cord comprises a woven sheath.
 4. Theboat-launching device of claim 1, wherein the rigid rod is a tube and atleast a portion of the proximal end of the shock cord extends throughthe rigid rod.
 5. The boat-launching device of claim 1, wherein therigid rod is between 6 inches and 30 inches long.
 6. The boat-launchingdevice of claim 1, wherein the rigid rod comprises a grip.
 7. Theboat-launching device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the shockcord comprises a fabric loop adapted to be secured to at least a portionof a dock.
 8. The boat-launching device of claim 1, wherein the fastenerattached to the reel casing is a carabiner.
 9. The boat-launching deviceof claim 8, wherein the carabiner is attached to the reel casing by arotating anchor.
 10. The boat-launching device of claim 1, wherein thespring-loaded reel provides at least 100 lb_(f) of force pulling on theshock cord.
 11. The boat-launching device of claim 10, wherein thespring-loaded reel provides at least 300 lb_(f) of force pulling on theshock cord.
 12. The boat-launching device of claim 10, wherein thespring-loaded reel provides between 300 lb_(f) and 500 lb_(f) of forcepulling on the shock cord.
 13. The boat-launching device of claim 1,wherein the spring-loaded reel provides a pulling force on the proximalend of the shock cord that increases as the shock cord is unwound fromthe spool.
 14. The boat-launching device of claim 1, wherein the reelfurther comprising an axel about which the spool rotates, the axel beingsecured to the reel casing, the reel spring being secured between thespool and the axel such that rotation of spool within the reel casingcauses the reel spring to deform.
 15. A boat-launching method,comprising: (a) positioning a boat on a trailer adjacent a dock; (b)providing a boat-launching device, the boat-launching device comprising:a shock cord having a proximal end and a distal end, a spring-loadedreel comprising a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring, the reelcasing defining a reel opening, the shock cord being wound on the spooland having the distal end attached to the spool and the proximal endextending out of the reel opening, the proximal end comprising a rigidrod having a length of at least 4 inches, and a fastener attached to thereel casing (c) attaching the fastener to the boat; (d) attaching theproximal end of the shock cord to the dock; and (e) moving the boat andthe trailer into a body of water such that the boat begins to float andmoves away from the trailer, wherein the boat-launching device providesat least 100 lb_(f) to pull the boat towards the dock, wherein the rigidrod presses between the dock and said reel casing to inhibit the boatfrom impacting the dock when the boat arrives at the dock.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the method comprises attaching at least twoboat-launching devices between the dock and the boat.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the shock cord comprises an elastic core and a wovensheath.
 18. The method of claim 15, the rigid rod is at least 6 inches,the proximal end further comprising a fabric loop, wherein attaching theproximal end of the shock cord to the dock comprises placing the fabricloop around an upwardly projecting portion of the dock.
 19. The methodof claim 15, wherein the fastener attached to the reel casing is acarabiner attached to the reel casing by a rotating anchor.